Water-tube boiler.



H. B. BRADFORD. WATBR TUBE BOILER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1912.

, Patented Aug. 5, 1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

' ATTORNEY 4 %\:1-IITN.ESSESZ{/ 2 Jim 2 Mm H. B. BRADFORD. WATER TUBE BOILER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1912.

Patented Aug. 5,1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

m E I A TTORNE Y vz MM H. B. BRADFORD. WATER TUBE BOILER.

W a m n l M .N M o 0 o o m o l s V N T u y 0 0 0 I m A n 0 0 0 0 I 0 E d; O O O A a e s o o o o 0 Q m a o o o e o o o o m o o o W 0 P o o u u 6 a V omo APPLICATION FILED SBPT.10, 1912.

Ham 1 I ,No Q6 0 o\ m a @o wo ooca 5 V i K O O Q F a 1 A 0 M AW HENRY B. BRADFORD, OF EDGEMOOR, DELAWARE, ASSIGNOR TO EDGE MOOR IRON COMPANY, OF EDGEMOOR, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A1 1g.5,1 913.

Application filed September'lO, 1912. Serial No. 719,515.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY B. BRADFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Edgemoor, Brandywine Hundred, Newcastle county,- State of Delaware, have invented a certain new and. useful Improvement in Water-Tube Boilers, of which the foilowing is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My present invention relates to water tube boilers and has for its object, the provision of simple, durable and effective means for cleaning the outer surfaces of the water tubes with jets of compressed air, or preferably steam, discharged from jet apparatus which is incorporated in and forms apermanent part of the boiler structure. In the preferred construction illustrated, some or all of the jet nozzles and portions of thesupply piping therefor, are incorporated in the battle or division walls employed to direct the flow of the gaseous products of coinhustion from the furnace of the boiler.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, and of theadvantages possessed by it, reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated, and described detailed forms in whichthe invention may be embodied. v I

{)f the drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a water tube boiler of familiar type, equipped with a preferred form of my improved cleaning apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional elevation taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 with parts of the division wall broken away and removed to facilitate an understanding of the division wall mnstruction. Fig. 3 is a sectional ele- J ra ion taken on the line of Fig. 2. Fig.

4- is a partial sectional elevation taken o'n the line 4' 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a partial seotionai elevation taken similarly to Fig. 1, v howinga modified construction. Fig. 6 is a partial section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a taken on the-line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

In the drawings, and referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive,

' 3i and B represent the front and rear headpartial sectional plan I represent bafiie or division walls employed to cause the gaseous products of combustion, issuing .from the furnace chamber, to pass upward through the intertube space adjacent the front header A, then downward through an intermediate portion of the iiitertube space, and upward through the portion of the intertube space adjacent the rear header. In so far as above described the boiler construction is of a type which is wellknown and in general' use. The division wall H, which rises from the bridge wall G, comprises, in s the preferred construction illustrated, a skeleton frame work which is incorporated in and reinforces a body of suitable refractory material which may advantageously be composed of the material commercially known as hot blast cement. This cement is highly refractory, and possesses considerable mechanical strength due in part to an asbes-' tos fiber binder incorporated in it.

As shown best in Figs. 2 and 3, the skeleton frame work of the'division wall H comprises a parallel series of wroi'ightmetal angle bars J, which are parallel to each other, and are inclined to the horizontal to correspond to the arrangement of water tubes C, which are so disposed that appreciable spaces exist between inclined rows of the water tubes, whereas no such spaces existbetween horizontal and vertical rows of the tubes. This arrangement of the water tubes is made desirable in certain types of boilers by considerations which have nothing to do with the cleaning provisions or division wall construction employed herein. The skeleton frame work also comprises a second set of wrought metal angle bars JA, which are parallel to each other, and lie between the rows of tube C which extend transversely to, though, as shown, not exactly perpendicular to the rows of tubes between which the bars J are located. The.

angle bars 5 and JA are arranged so that their flanges J extend transversely to the tubes C and abut against each other, while the flanges J oi the bars J and J A extend toward the front and rear headers respectively of the boiler. The bars J and JA are connected together at appropriate points as by rivets or bolts 5 The ends of the bars J and JA adjacent the side walls, F, F, of the housing are secured to vertical bars J To more eilectuall'y protect the lower ends of the wrought metal bars J and JA from the high temperatures prevailing in the lower portions of the first pass for the hot gaseous products, cast metal sections K are employed. One of these sections is inserted between each pair of inclined rows of tubes C between which is also located a corresponding angle bar JA. Each section K is notched at its opposite edges to receive the corresponding water tubes and may be inserted after the tubes C are put in place by first passing it between the tubes with the plane of the section parallel to the length of the tubes, and then giving it a quarter turn about its longitudinal axis. Each adjacent pair oi sections K meet in the spaces between the tubes of the row engaged in part by each section. The castiron sections may b'e connected together at various points by means ol bolts or pins K. The division wall I may be substantially identical in construction with the division wall H, except that, the cast metal sections K, are unnecessary and are omitted in the case of the wall I.

The novel provisions which I make for removing soot, ashes or the like accumulating on the outer surfaces of the water tubes C comprise a series of jet nozzles O and O and supply pipes M therefor which are incorporated in the division wall- H. The pipes M are parallel to the angle bars JA and are similarly arranged between the inclined rows of water tubes G, though as shown, each adjacent pair of parallelypipes M are separated by two rows of water tubes. Such of the pipes M as have their lower ends terminating below the water tubes are connected by pipe connections M to a pipe N which extends transversely to, and beneath the bank of tubes 0 on therear side of the division wall H, and may rest on and be supported by a portion of the bridge wall The inner closed end of the pipe N is received in the recess F formed in one side wall F of the boiler housing, while the other end of the pipe passes through the other side wall l and is externally connected to the steam space of the boiler or to some other source oi pressure fluid through a regulating valve N which may be a simple gate or throttle valve. Such of the pipes M as have their lower endsterminating at the ineaioe side of the bank of tubes C are connected to a vertical branch pipe N which is located in a recess F formed in the corresponding side wall of the boiler housing, and is connected at its lower end to the pipe N. The nozzles O and 0, connected to the pipes M at suitable points along the length of the latter, extend parallel to tubes C and point toward the front header A. As shown in Fig. 3 these nozzles, which may be formed of heavy wrought iron are of such length that they project slightly from the front wall of the body portion of the division wall. The only diii'erence between the nozzles O and O, is that the nozzles O which project through the sections K are longer than the nozzles to correspond to the increased thickness of the lower portion of the division wall H.

P represents a drain pipe connected to the pipe N and provided with a controlling valve P. The pipe P and pipe P serve to drain off the water of condensation formed in the piping N, N, M and M when steam is the jet cleaning fluid employed, and also to permit atmospheric air to be drawn into this piping when the steam supply valve N is closed and the subsequent condensation of steam tends to create a vacuum in the piping. The free admission. of atmospheric air to this tube prevents the furnace gases being sucked into the piping through the nozzle orifices. The admission of such gases is objectionable, because oftheir corroding effect on the pipes. In operation it will bev understood that the valve P is opened, when the valve N is closed, and is closed when the valve N is opened.

The division wall I may have cleaning, provisions incorporated in it exactly similar to those incorporated in the division wall H, but advantageously as shown, the main transverse supply pipe NA, corresponding in function to the pipe N, is arranged above and rests on the top .row of tubes C. The: pipes MA, correspondinggenerally otherwise to the pipes M, are connected at their upper ends to the pipe NA, or to the depending lateral branch NA thereof, have their lower ends closed by the caps' M and are arranged parallel to the bars J, and not to the bars J A. The drain and pressure equalizina pipe PA is connected to the lower end of the branch pipe NA, and is controlled exterior of the boiler housing by the valve PA. The nozzles 0, connected to the pipes NA are similar in construction and arrangement to the nozzles O incorporated in the division wall H, and like the latter in the particular construction illustrated point to-' ward the front header A; In the division wall l[ the pipes MA are arranged in front of the bars J A so that the reactive thrust of the jets'is transmitted directly to the skeleton. hams work of the division wall. and the izc pipes MA need not be secured to the skeleton frame work, except lightly, in assembling them as by wiring them to the wrought metal skeleton frame work. In the case of the division wall H however, on account of 'the relatively high temperature of the gaseous products of combustion traversing the first pass of the intertube space, I prefer to arrange the tubes M back of the angle bars J, and, in this case, I anchor the pipes M to the angle bars JA. as by means of the U bolts M shown in Figs. Qand 3.

Immediately in front of the rear header B, I place a series of pipes MB,which with their nozzles O and connections MB, and NB, NB, N13 PB, and PB, are similar in construction and arranged to the parts MA, MA, NA, N A, NA PA, and PA, already described. The cleaning provisions immediately in front of the rear header, however, are not embedded in cement, but arev directly exposed to the gaseous products of combustion. The lower temperatiires of the latter, however, when. traversing the final pass of the intertube space, makesthis direct exposure unobj ectionable. The pipes MB may be lightly securedin place as by wiring them to the tubes C, or to the rear header B. I The operation of the cleaning apparatus described will be fairly apparent from the foregoing description. Each of the three passes into which the intertube space is di- 'vided. is provided-with separate cleaning provisions, ordinarily operated separately.

An important feature of the simple construction illustrated is that both the main t'ransversing steam supply pipe, and the inclined pipes to which the nozzles are directly connected, may be large enough in cross section so that the pressure of discharge will be the same at each nozzle. This means in general that the cross section of each supply pipe at any portion of the latter shall be equal to, or exceed the aggregate area of the nozzle orifices receiving steam through said portion of the supply pipe.

This inherent capacit for the convenient use of supplypi'pes of ample area is of particular lIllDOl'l'lll'lCQ in the case of large boilers, where each of the pipes N, NA, and NB may need to be 20 feet in length'or even longeiyand must supply a correspondingly large amount of steam in the cleaning operation.

It will be apparent that the cleaning provisions disclosed permit the use of anainple number of nozzles and the uniform spacing of thesenozzles along the end of each of the passes of the intertube space traversed by the hot gases. Furthermore, the arrangement permits of the supply of an ample amount of the cleaning fluid to the various nozzles under uniform pressure conditions. it is therefore readily possible with the ap paratus disclosed, to produce the relative.

large volume It. will also be apparent that in the construe-- tion disclosed all metallic portionsfofthe cleaning apparatus are very effectually protected from high temperatures except in the case of the projecting tips of the nozzles O and 0. Should these exposed nozzles burn away, however, it is apparent that little I damage will be done as the jets will still dis charge through the holes of the cement body of the division walls which were originally filled by the burnt away nozzles.

The division walls H and I may be readily and comparatively inexpensively installed and are highly durable. In install ing the division walls, the iron parts to be incorporated in the cement body portion are first put in place and then the cement material is-applied in a plastic condition. The division Wall construction disclosed obviously possesses advantages for use in boiler constructions regardless of whether or not cleaning provisionsare incorporated therein. Nocclaim is made-herein, however, to this novel division Wall construction except in combination with the cleaning provisions disclosed as the division wall construction itself is not my sole invention, but is the joint invention of William F. Sellers and myself, and is claimed in our co-pending ap plication, Serial No. 719,512 filed of even date herewith.

It is, of course, apparent that the supply pipes may be arranged vertically or horizontally instead of obliquely where the spacing of the water tubes, or other conditions make such an arrangement necessary or desirable. One arrangement of employing horizontal supply pipes is shown in Figs. '5,

6 and 7. This arrangement incorporates other features (littering from those in the constructions hereinbefore described, which do not necessarily depend,however, upon'the direction in which the supply pi pe s extend.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the division wall. l'lr't'rising'from the bridge wall GA, has incorporated in it two sets of nozzle supply pipes Q and Q, each provided with nozzles 0A. The nozzles 0A, connected to the pipes Q open from the front side of the division wall HA, while the nozzles connected to the pipes Q open toward the rear of the Wall.

The pipes Q and Qinay welhbeaud. as shown, are each formed in two sections. of which the one adjacent the closed end of the is sure] diameter than the other section which supplies steam, or other, clean mg fluid both to the nozzles'connected to it,

(,2 and ll) is provided externally ot' the boiler housin with an individual valve con nection Q to the vertical steamv supply pipe it, and the latter is provided above the pipes Q1 and with a supply valve R and below the pipes with a drain valve R lln the operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 5, 6 and T the various individual valved comiections Q may be opened and closed successively. Any group of these com-motions may be opened and closed at the same time.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, l. have illustrated and de scribed the best terms of my invention now known to me it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed Without departing from the spirit of my invention, and that under s ome conditions certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without corresponding use of other features.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Let.

ters Patent, is

1. In a Water tube boiler, the combination with a bank of Water tubes and a transverse division Wall which divides the intertube space into separate passes for the hot gases and comprises a body portion of non-metallic refractory material, of tube cleaning apparatus comprising a series of pipes em bedded in said body portion-and provided with nozzle outlets through which jets of a cleaning tluid supplied to said pipes may be discharged into said mtertube space in a. direction parallel to said tubes.

2. in a Water tube boiler, the combination With a bank of Water tubes and a transverse division Wall Whiclrdivides the intertube space into separate passes for the hot gases and comprises a body portion of non-me tallic refractory material, oftube cleaning apparatus comprising a series of supply pipes embedded in said body portion. and provided with nozzle branch. pipes extending parallel to said tubes and opening to said intertube space at one side of said division Wall.

3. in a Water tube boiler, the combination with a bani: oi Water tubes and a transverse division Wall which divides the intertube space into separate passes for the hot gases and comprises a. body portion of non-motallic rcii'ractory material and a metallic skeleton frame Work. of tube cleaning apparatus comprising a series of pipes embedded in said body portion and secured to said s teleton frame Work and provided with nozzle outlets through which ets ot a cleaning fluid supplied to said pipesmay be dis charged into said intertube space in a direction parallel to said tubes.

l. In a Water eube'boiler, the ooinbination with a bank of'substantially parallel Water tubes arranged in transverse rows, of a division Wall dividing the intertnbc space into separate passes for the hot gases and comprising a body portion of retractory material and a skeleton frame Work incorporated therein and comprising two trans verse groups of metal bars arranged be tween the transverse rows of tubes, and tube cleaning provisions comprising pipes embedded" in the body portion of said division Wall between adjacent pairs of one of said groups of bars and having nozzle outlets through Which jets of the cleaning fluid supplied to said pipes may be discharged into said intertube space in a direction parallel. to the length of the Water tubes.

In a water tube boiler, the combination with a bank of parallel and substantially horizontal Water tubes arranged in spaced apart rows inclined to the horizontal, of tube cleaning apparatus comprisingparallel pipes extending transversely to, and between the rows of Water tubes and a hori zontal supply pipe therefor extending across but external to, and having a lateral branch at one side of said bank oi? tubes, said in clined tubes being connected, each, to said supply pipe or to said branch, and having nozzle outlets opening into the space be tween the Water tubes in a direction parallel to the lengths of said tubes.

(5. in a Water tube boiler, the combination with a bank of parallel and substantially horizontal Water tubes and a bridge wall beneath said bank of tubes, of a division Wall rising from said bridge Wall and dividing the intertube space into separate passes for the hotgases, ot tube'cleaning provisions comprising upwardly extending pipes embedded in said division wall and provided with nozzle outlets opening into the intertube space and adapted to dis charge jets of a cleaning fluid into the intertube space in a direction parallel to the length of the Water tubes, and a cleaning fluid supply pipe located beneath said bank of tubes on the cooler side of said bridge Wall, and connections between said supply pipe and the lower ends of said upwardly extending tubes.

'4'. In a water tube boiler, the combinationwith a bank of parallel and substantially horizontal Water tubes arranged in spaced apart rows inclined to the horizontal, of a bridge wall beneath the bank of tubes, a division Wall support-ed by said-bridge wall and dividing tlie'intertube space into separate passes for the hot gases, and tube cleaning provisions mmprising a series of in clined tubes embedded in said division Wall lot) and arranged between inclined rows of the water-tubes and provided with nozzle out lets adapted to discharge jets of a cleaning fluid into the space between the water tubes in a direction parallel to the length of the latter, and a horizontal supply pipe located beneath the bank of tubes on the cooler side of said bridge wall and having a lateral branch located on thecooler side of said 10 division wall at one side of said bank of tubes, the lower ends of said tubes terminating at the bottom of said bank of water tubes being connected to said supply pipe and the lower ends of said tubes terminating at the side edge of said bank of water tubes being connected to said branch.

HENRY B. BRADFORD. Witnesses:

CLARENCE W. DICKEY, J. H. BROWN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

